Portable privacy fence incorporating ground secured posts, each including a mesh unwinding section and a succeeding supporting section

ABSTRACT

An assembly for creating a portable enclosure includes a plurality of individual and elongated ground engaging units, each having an elongated body and an end extending ground engaging portion. A magazine fixedly secures in vertically extending fashion along each of the units, a screen adapted to being withdrawn from the magazine and including hooks defined along a forward withdrawable edge. A plurality of rings extend along a further vertically extending edge associated with each of the units, and which is adapted to receive the hooks associated with a screen withdrawn from a succeeding located unit, in order to construct a barrier between the units.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a portable privacy fencedesign and, more particularly, to a privacy fence constructed by aplurality of individual and ground securable posts, each including amesh unwinding section and a hook attachment for establishing either ofan open or closed portable perimeter in an earth securing fashion.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The prior art is well documented with varying examples of groundsecurable and portable wind screen or privacy perimeter assemblies. Theobjective in each instance is to assemble a portable screen device in agiven location.

Gingrich, U.S. Pat. No. 5,875,597, teaches a height-adjustablespace-dividing screen including a pair of height adjustable posts and aflexible fabric screen having the opposite ends thereof connected to thesupport posts. Of note, an outer tube associated with each post isrotatable in order to wind or unwind a flexible fabric and which may beinterconnected to other pedestal support units as illustrated. The outertubes are also rotatable so as to height adjust the screen. Additionalscreens are capable of being suspended from the support poles while theopposite free ends of the screens are supported by additional supportposts to provide a readily adjustable privacy screen arrangement.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,576,364, issued to O'Fearna, teaches a portable screenof fabric held upright by a plurality of hollow poles clamped to thefabric by C clamps, each typically the length of the pole. A stake istelescoped within each hollow pole, and held in an extended position, soas to adjust the height of the screen, by the friction of a resilientsleeve near the top of the stake, and additionally by a C clamp aroundthe stake adjust up against the pole. Straps are provided to secure thescreen in a rolled-up condition, and to carry the rolled up screen.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,092,792, issued to Camara, teaches a portable barrierapparatus defining a multi-sectioned barrier for protection against windand sand in various outdoor environments. A connected plurality offlexible barrier panels may be supported in an upright manner with aplurality of pole members. The apparatus further includes a protectivepanel member which generally covers the barrier panel member in anundeployed configuration. The invention provides a compacttransport-configured package for user carrying of the barrier.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,959,919, issued to Knott, Sr., teaches a wire fencingmaterial including parallel line and fill wires extending respectivelylengthwise and widthwise. The line and fill wires are secured to oneanother by welding at cross over locations, and at selected locationsand between adjacent fill wires, the line wires having segmentsprojecting alternately from opposite sides of the fencing to therebydefine sleeves configured and dimensioned to axially receive supportposts.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,719, issued to Cardente, teaches a length of fabricsupported by aluminum rods forced into sand or the like and providing afence for the purpose of deflecting windblown sand away from beach-goingsunbathers, and while offering more privacy in a lightweight device.

Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,152, issued to Laurent, teaches a portable,foldable beach screen providing privacy and protection from wind andblowing sand for a reclining individual. The screen is constructed froma single panel and is foldable into a compact and easily carriedconfiguration. The screen may further include a reflective material onone or both major surfaces and can carry advertising messages or otherprinting.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention discloses a ground support privacy enclosureassembly, and which is an improvement over prior art devices, in that itprovides a more effective earth supported enclosure for establishing adesired privacy screen configuration.

The present invention teaches a plurality of individually groundsecurable and spaced apart units. Each unit includes a verticallyextending and elongated body, at a lower extending end of which isdefined a spike, modified spike or fork portion for securely engagingthe ground location.

A withdrawable screen is supported upon a magazine, in turn fixedlysecured in vertically extending fashion along a likewise verticallyextending edge location of the associated and elongated body portion. Anopposite and likewise vertically extending edge location of eachelongated body further includes a plurality of fastening rings, thesebeing engaged by a like plurality of hooks defined along a withdrawingedge of a selected mesh screen associated with a succeeding emplacedunit.

In this manner, a screen enclosure is defined by any plurality ofenclosure/barrier defining units, ranging from two for a given linearextending fence applications, to any increased number of units forassembling any suitable barrier defining enclosure, including polygonalenclosures and the like. Furthermore, the fastening rings associatedwith a given unit can support more than one individual set of hooks,these associated with more than screen, in order to furthercompartmentalize a given defined enclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read incombination with the following detailed description, wherein likereference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, andin which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a screen withdrawal unit according to afirst preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a screen withdrawal unit according to asecond preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an environmental view illustrating one of an endlesspossibility of possible assembly configurations provided by the screenassembly device according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial view of a ground stake portion of an associatedscreen withdrawal unit according to a possible variant of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a partial view of a further variant of a ground stake portionaccording to a still further possible variant;

FIG. 6 is a partial view of a yet further variant of an auger shapedground engaging stake according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a yet further variant of the presentdesign, similar to that shown in FIG. 2, and by which additional sets ofheight offset ring portions are defined extending in circumferentiallyoffset fashion; and

FIG. 8 is a top view of the variant shown in FIG. 7 and betterillustrating the ability to utilize a selected vertically extending unitin a centrally located and subdividing role according to a furthervariant of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIG. 1, a ground support privacy enclosure assembly isillustrated 10 according to a first preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. As described previously, the assembly 10 is an improvementover prior art devices, in that it provides a more effective earthsupported enclosure for establishing a desired privacy screen accordingto any of an infinite variety of configurations.

As shown again in FIG. 1, the present invention teaches any plurality(from two to infinity) of individually ground securable and spaced apartunits, one of which is illustrated at 10. Each unit includes avertically extending and elongated body 12, such as a wooden, polymer,or lightweight metallic (e.g. aluminum) material. At a lower extendingend of the stem 12 is defined a ground engaging portion 14. Asillustrated in the partial view of FIG. 5, the ground engaging portion14 is further illustrated as a spike portion exhibiting a plurality ofradially extending flutes and which likewise can be constructed of aheavy duty plastic or metal material.

As further referenced in FIG. 5, the opposing ends of the spike 14 andstem 12 exhibit threadably engaging portions, such as is furtherillustrated by an exteriorly threaded portion 16 associated with aninner end of the spike 14 and which engages within a likewise interiorlythreaded aperture 18 associated with the stem 12 for releasably securingthe earthen engaging portion to the downwardly extending end of the stem12. As further shown in FIG. 4, the earthen engaging portion may furtherbe provided as a fork shaped element 20 exhibiting a primary prong 22and a secondary and spaced apart prong 24 interconnected with theprimary prong. Other and additional variants of earthen/ground engagingportions are contemplated and may include quasi-shaped prong, fork orother spade shaped components.

Referring again to FIG. 1, a withdrawable screen is provided supportedwithin an elongate extending and three-dimensional magazine compartment24, in turn fixedly secured in vertically extending fashion along thestem portion 12. As shown in the variant of FIG. 1, the magazine isconstructed as a three-dimensional extending and internally hollowedcomponent 26 coaxially arrayed around an extending length of the stem12.

An uppermost extending end of the stem 12 terminates in a flattened end28, this being suitable for engaging with a hammer or other heavy objectand in order to drive the unit downwardly into an earthen/turf location.Also, at 29 is illustrated a flat lip or flange which can project from alower location of the stem 12 and in order to facilitate such as footgenerated embedding of the spike or ground engaging portion. Also, andas described herein, a hammer can be used to engage the lip or flange 29to facilitate engagement of the selected unit. In certain applications,such as engaging the unit into loose sand, adequate downward pressureexerted along the length of the stem usually provides adequate drivingforces, and without the need to “hammer” the stake down from the top.

A mesh screen 30 is adapted to being withdrawn from the fixedly mountedmagazine (illustrated again as an interiorly hollowed drum element 26 inFIG. 1) and includes a first plurality of interengageable portions, e.g.hooks 32, defined along a forward withdrawable and typically reinforcededge. 34. A plurality of second interengageable portions, e.g. rings 36,extend in vertically extending fashion along a further verticallyextending (typically opposite) edge associated with each of theindividual units.

In practice, and as shown in FIG. 3, an assembly configuration isachieved and whereby the first interengageable portions associated witha screen withdrawn from a given unit 10 are engageable with the ringsassociated with a further located unit 10′, and in order to construct abarrier between the units. As shown, the procedure is repeated betweenthe unit 10′ and a further succeeding unit 10″ to extend/modify theenclosure created.

The mesh screen 30 (typically a flexible plasticized or metallic finegrade material) is desirously held under a minimal degree of windingtension from the magazine compartment from which is withdrawn, and inorder to establish a neat barrier appearance. The construction of thewinding mechanisms of the associated magazine are further understood tobe known to those of adequate skill in the art and such that a moredetailed description is not required.

In this manner, a screen enclosure may be created, and such as isdefined by any plurality of enclosure/barrier defining units, rangingfrom two for a given linear extending fence applications, to anyincreased number of units for assembling any suitable barrier definingenclosure, including polygonal enclosures and the like. Furthermore, thefastening rings associated with a given unit can support more than oneindividual set of hooks, these associated with more than one screen (seeas further shown by screens 30, 30′ and 30″ in the manner illustrated inFIG. 3), in order to further compartmentalize (or subdivide) a givendefined enclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2, a further embodiment is shown at 38 of a selectedunit having a specified shape and size and further including anelongated stem portion 40 and lengthwise extending ground engagingportion 42. A magazine 44 according to this variant further defines athree-dimensional and elongated compartment secured (again in fixedfashion) against an exteriorly extending length of the stem 40, andopposed to being concentrically arrayed in the manner shown in FIG. 1.

As with the previously described variant, an associated mesh screen 46includes end hooks 48 extending from a withdrawing and reinforced edgeand which engage further defined rings 50 (or other suitably configuredengaging locations) defined along a further vertically extending edge ofthe stem 40. In the preferred embodiment, the rings 50 are aligned alongan opposite extending edge of the stem 40, relative to the withdrawinglocation of the screen 46, and in order to both minimize the incidencesof tangling between the screen and hooks associated with a single unit,as well as to maximize the potential enclosure or barrier definingconfigurations made possible by the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6 is a partial view is shown at 52 of a yet furthervariant of an auger shaped ground engaging stake according to thepresent invention. The auger 52 is intended as a substitute for eitherthe modified fork 20 or threadably engageable fluted portions 14 andtypically operates by being rotatably driven into a turf engaginglocation, either prior or following threaded (or twist and lock)interengagement of an associated stem portion (not shown).

FIG. 7 is a perspective view 54 of a yet further variant of the presentdesign, similar to that shown in FIG. 2, and by which additional sets ofheight offset ring portions are defined extending in circumferentiallyoffset fashion. In particular, and when viewing FIG. 7 in cooperationwith the top view of FIG. 8, additional sets of height varying ringengaging portions are illustrated at 56 and 58. Each of the additionalplurality of vertically spaced rings 56 and 58 extend in 90 degreecircumferentially offset relationship relative to rings 60, theselocated in likewise vertically extending fashion along an oppositebackside of the stem portion 62.

In this fashion, better illustrated is the ability to utilize a selectedvertically extending unit 54 in a centrally located and subdividingrole. The provision of additional pluralities of circumferentiallyoffset rings renders possible attaching up to three reinforced andwithdrawn screen edges associated with additional and outwardlypositioned units, in inter-engaging fashion with the unit 54, such asenvironmentally represented by unit 10′ in FIG. 3. Other features,including the location of a magazine withdrawal unit 44 and lowerengageable flange 29 are represented as substantially and previouslydescribed.

Other considerations include the withdrawable mesh screen capable ofexhibiting any desired shading or consistency, and in order to range inapplication from privacy screens for sunbathers, sun ray retardantscreens for use by other individuals also seeking privacy, andsee-through screens such as for keeping an eye upon children or petsplaced within an enclosed area defined by a plurality of such erectedunits. Yet additional applications include, without limitation, creatinga wind resistant barrier (utilizing a burlap mesh material) forprotecting newly planted shrubs and trees.

A particular variant of the invention contemplates the individual groundsupporting fence post stem ranging in height up to 7′, with a 2′ solidplastic stake portion extending from a lower end thereof of the stem.The mesh portion may further preferably include a solid white (therebylight deflecting) vinyl material exhibiting a plurality of fiveindividual and spaced apart hooks secured along a forward reinforced andwithdrawing edge of the mesh material.

Having described my invention, other and additional preferredembodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which itpertains, and without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

1. An assembly for creating a portable enclosure, comprising: aplurality of elongated and ground engaging units, each arranged atspaced locations; a magazine fixedly secured in vertically extendingfashion to each of said units, a screen adapted to being withdrawn fromsaid magazine and including first interengageable portions along aforward withdrawable edge; and a plurality of second interengageableportions extending in vertically extending fashion along each of saidunits and adapted to receive said first interengageable portionsassociated with a screen withdrawn from a succeeding located unit. 2.The assembly as defined in claim 1, each of said units having aspecified shape and size and further comprising an elongated stemportion, said magazine comprising a three-dimensional elongate extendingand internally hollowed component coaxially arrayed around an extendinglength of said stem.
 3. The assembly as defined in claim 1, each of saidunits having a specified shape and size and further comprising anelongated stem portion, said magazine comprising a three-dimensional andelongated compartment secured against an exteriorly extending length ofsaid stem.
 4. The assembly as defined in claim 1, said screen furthercomprising a planar and flexible mesh, said first plurality ofinterengageable portions further comprising a plurality of hooksextending from a forward edge of said mesh.
 5. The assembly as definedin claim 4, said second interengageable portions further comprising atleast one plurality of rings extending in elongate spaced fashion froman exterior edge of each of said units and at a specifiedcircumferentially spaced apart location, said hooks associated with amesh screen withdrawn from a first selected unit engaging with aselected plurality of said hooks associated with a second selected unit.6. The assembly as defined in claim 1, said units each having aspecified shape and size and each further comprising an earthen engagingportion.
 7. The assembly as defined in claim 6, said earthen engagingportion further comprising a ground stake exhibiting at least one of aplurality of radially extending flutes and an auger shaped embeddingportion.
 8. The assembly as defined in claim 6, said earthen engagingportion further comprising a fork shaped element exhibiting a primaryprong and a secondary and spaced apart prong interconnected with saidprimary prong.
 9. The assembly as defined in claim 6, further comprisingfirst threadably engaging portion projecting from a lengthwise extendingend of said earthen engaging portion, a second threadably engaging beingdefined in an opposing end of said unit for releasably securing saidengaging portion thereto.
 10. An assembly for creating a portableenclosure, comprising: a plurality of elongated and ground engagingunits, each arranged at spaced locations; a three-dimensional andelongated magazine fixedly secured in vertically extending fashion to anelongated stem associated with each of said units, a screen adapted tobeing withdrawn from said magazine and including first interengageableportions defined along a forward withdrawable edge; and a plurality ofsecond interengageable portions extending in vertically extendingfashion along each of said units and adapted to receive said firstinterengageable portions associated with a screen withdrawn from asucceeding located unit.
 11. The assembly as defined in claim 10, saidscreen further comprising a planar and flexible mesh, said firstplurality of interengageable portions further comprising a plurality ofhooks extending from a forward reinforced edge of said mesh.
 12. Theassembly as defined in claim 11, said second interengageable portionsfurther comprising a plurality of rings extending in elongate spacedfashion along an exterior edge of each of said units, said hooksassociated with a mesh screen withdrawn from a first selected unitengaging with said hooks associated with a second selected unit.
 13. Theassembly as defined in claim 10, said units each having a specifiedshape and size and each further comprising an earthen engaging portion.14. The assembly as defined in claim 13, said earthen engaging portionfurther comprising a ground stake exhibiting at least one of a pluralityof radially extending flutes and an exterior configured auger shapedportion.
 15. The assembly as defined in claim 13, said earthen engagingportion further comprising a fork shaped element exhibiting a primaryprong and a secondary and spaced apart prong interconnected with saidprimary prong.
 16. The assembly as defined in claim 13, furthercomprising first threadably engaging portion projecting from alengthwise extending end of said earthen engaging portion, a secondthreadably engaging being defined in an opposing end of said unit forreleasably securing said engaging portion thereto.
 17. An assembly forcreating a portable enclosure, comprising: a plurality of elongated andground engaging units, each of said units comprising an elongated bodyconstructed of a durable material and including an end extending andground engaging portion such that each of said units are arranged atspaced apart locations; a three-dimensional and elongated magazinefixedly secured in vertically extending fashion to each of said units, ascreen adapted to being withdrawn from said magazine and including firstinterengageable portions defined along a forward withdrawable edge; andat least one plurality of second interengageable portions extending invertically extending and circumferentially offset fashion along afurther vertically extending edge associated with each of said units, aselected sub-plurality of said second portions adapted to receiving saidfirst interengageable portions associated with a screen withdrawn from asucceeding located unit, and in order to construct a barrier betweensaid units.
 18. The assembly as defined in claim 17, said screen furthercomprising a planar and flexible mesh, said first plurality ofinterengageable portions further comprising a plurality of hooksextending from a forward edge of said mesh.
 19. The assembly as definedin claim 18, said second interengageable portions further comprisingfirst, second and third pluralities of rings extending in elongatevertically spaced and circumferentially spaced apart fashion alongexterior edge locations associated with each of said units, said hooksassociated with a mesh screen withdrawn from a first selected unitengaging with a select sub-plurality of rings associated with a secondselected unit.
 20. The assembly as described in claim 17, said groundengaging portion further comprising at least one of a ground stakeexhibiting a plurality of radially extending flutes, an exterior andauger shaped portion, and a fork shaped element exhibiting a primaryprong and a secondary and spaced apart prong interconnected with saidprimary prong.